Robbery Suspect Evades and is Captured (Press Release)

by Public Information Officer, Friday, February 08, 2013, 01:00 (2205 days ago)

ABILENE, TX – Today at about 9:46 am, officers with the Abilene Police Department (APD) Patrol Division responded to an armed subject call at Hendrick Medical Center (HMC). As details of the incident began coming in to APD dispatch, officers were informed that a robbery had just taken place at HMC’s main parking lot. An employee at HMC notified APD that a male subject had just attacked a female victim in the main parking lot and a description of the suspect was provided to APD. As officers converged to the affected area, they were advised of the suspect’s description and that the suspect had fled to the west. Officer Patrick Perez was one of the first responder’s on-scene and was the first officer to spot the fleeing suspect as the suspect continued running towards the west. Officer Perez continued following the suspect with his patrol vehicle and continued to provide updates to other responding officers. Officer Perez saw the suspect run behind a house in the 1700 block of Orange Street. Officer Jeremy Holmes arrived to assist and the officers contacted the suspect at gun point and secured the arrest.

Detectives with the Criminal Investigation Division were summoned to assist. The preliminary investigation revealed that the robbery suspect, identified as Paul R. Havard (DOB: 11/11/83) of Diboll, Texas, threatened an elderly female victim while she was seated in a parked vehicle at HMC. That threat included the allegation that Mr. Havard would shoot her if she did not hand over her purse. The preliminary findings indicated that the victim was not injured and no shots were fired.

The investigation also revealed that three witnesses were part of this investigation and that two of the witnesses were able to positively identify Mr. Havard. This investigation was further aided by an off-duty Dept. of Public Safety Trooper. The Trooper and witnesses continued to provide feedback to APD dispatch and helped officers locate clothing Mr. Havard had abandoned during the chase.

Ultimately, officers were able to locate the victim’s purse at a business after learning that the Mr. Havard went inside the business located in the 1700 block of Hickory. Additionally, when Mr. Havard was arrested, the victim’s identification, along with other personal items, was found in his possession. The weapon officers believe was used in the commission of the crime was located under a truck in the 1300 block of N. 17th Street. Mr. Havard was arrested for the offense of first-degree aggravated robbery and was being held at Taylor County Jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.